Fate of Uterine Device Now in Hands of FDA

Panel's Recommendations Run From Outright Ban to 'Black Box' Warning to Limited Use

By

Jon Kamp

Updated July 11, 2014 6:32 p.m. ET

SILVER SPRING, Md.—Members of a panel advising the Food and Drug Administration on a medical device that can spread cancer in women on Friday made a variety of suggestions to reduce that risk, from an outright ban to limiting its use among patients.

The positions emerged amid two days of often-emotional testimony about devices called laparoscopic power morcellators. The panel was asked to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of...